1903 Mercedes voted best of show at ‘Royal’ concours d’elegance

The “Royal” Concours of Elegance is different from other concours on several levels. For one, it is held each year at a different royal palace on the British Isles.

Jaguar SS1 earns promotion from club showcase to concours snow field for 2016 | Concours photos by Tim Scott

The “Royal” Concours of Elegance is different from other concours on several levels. For one, it is held each year at a different royal palace on the British Isles. For another, instead of a panel of “expert” judges, the best of show award is decided by collecting ballots from the owners of the 60 cars invited to the event.

The 2015 concours was held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the best of show award went to a 1903 Mercedes Simplex 60HP owned by Anke Ruckwarth.

Concours host, Prince Michael of Kent, takes a ride in the best of show-winning Mercedes

“Owners praised the incredible engineering in this 112-year-old car, powered by a 9.2-liter four-cylinder engine and capable of nearly 80 mph,” the concours news release reported. “Only four are known to exist.”

While the top prize is voted by the participants themselves, there are other major awards chosen by the event organizers. Those include:

Spirit of the Tour, to the driver and car pairing considered most in the spirit of the 200-mile tour that precedes the concours. This year it was called the Highland Tour and the award was presented to Klaus Schildbach and his 1927 Mercedes-Benz S Rennsport.

The RAC Spirit of Motoring Award, presented to American John Shirley and his Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spyder.

The RAC Club Trophy goes to a vehicle participating in the car club show held on the castle grounds. That vehicle then is invited to be among the 60 in the official concours the following year. For 2016, when the concours will celebrate the queen’s 90th birthday, that car will be a Jaguar SS1 owned by Michael and Linda Jewell.